HOSHIARPUR, Punjab—After giving much relief to Shiromani Akali Dal by opposing the CBI probe into global drug racket, Captain Amrinder Singh in a an attempt to get return favour has provoked Badals to join his bandwagon on the issue of reservation to Jat Sikhs in OBC category.
This observation has been made by the Dal Khalsa president H S Dhami, who supports reservation to the economical weaker section of the society irrespective of caste.
Taking a dig at Captain Amrinder Singh for using provocative tactics to rope in the Akali Dal in joining his bandwagon, the Dal Khalsa head H S Dhami said as Jat Sikhs enjoy higher status in the social hierarchy, the economic criteria should be made the basis for reservation to them and not caste.
Notably, the former Chief Minister at a press meet in Chandigarh today has said that in case the Jats in Punjab are not able to get the benefit of reservation under the OBC category the onus will be squarely on Mr Badal and his Deputy Chief Minister son Sukhbir Badal.
Admitting that thousands of farmers have small land holdings who are barely managing to make both ends meet, Dhami supported reservation to such economical weaker section.
Dhami said instead of demanding the reservation for a particular caste, Captain should choose right words and raise his demand making the economic criteria as a base.
Taking head-on with Amrinder and Badals, he said the issue of inclusion of Jat Sikhs in the OBC category was against the spirit of Gurmat and Sikh doctrine of casteless and classless society.
He said the Jat Sikhs perceived themselves to be at the top of the social ladder. “It is inconceivable as to how this section (read Jat Sikhs) would reconcile so-called downgrading of its social status”.
He slammed the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal and the opposition Congress in Punjab for resorting to unhealthy and unprincipled politics either on the issue of inclusion of Jat Sikhs in the OBC category or punishing the drug mafia.
He said the desire of the people was to see the politicians and cops involved in drug trafficking behind the bars as drug abuse has ruined the lives of younger generation. He said people were least concerned whether the probe was done by the CBI, state police or the Judiciary- all are pillars of Indian establishment. “What they want is impartial public inquiry to unmask the culprits”, said he.
